Coming out to Washington DC

[TinkerGolfMan]

Gonna be in Washington DC for a couple of weeks coming in August, any suggestions for which tracks to play?

Anyone have access to congo or Trump DC or any good private clubs to hook up a fellow WRXer over here!!!??

 

[GoGoErky]

Where are you staying/working?

[eagle1997]

Playing golf in August in DC is basically like being in an outdoor sauna for 4 hours. It's miserable. That said, plenty of great tracks to play. If you're willing to drive, the courses in Frederick County are worth the trip.

 

Worthington Manor, Musket Ridge, Whiskey Creek, Maryland National & PB Dye are all very interesting upper end public courses and typically have good-to-very-good conditions.

 

Pretty much gotta know someone to get on the privates ... Try asking in this thread:

https://forums.golfwrx.com/discussion/1682946/md-dc-va-golfers-twelve-monkeys-mental-divergence/p1

 

More than a few have access to a Club, who knows what can happen if you ask nice. Good group.

 

[TinkerGolfMan]

> @GoGoErky said:

> Where are you staying/working?

 

Staying at Grand Hyatt DC. I have work conference there.

[GoGoErky]

If you don’t mind driving the courses mentioned above are top notch. Something a little closer would be lake presidential and renditions

[DCLefty]

Plenty of good options if you head west on 66 into Virginia. Stonewall would be the best of the bunch, in my opinion.

[ctsgolf]

If you don't mind travelling I'd suggest Maryland National.

[jrhart13]

I would highly recommend Worthington Manor. IMO it's the best public course in the area. It's about 50 mins from DC, so not that bad.

[birdiebarrage]

Maryland - Whiskey Creek, Worthington Manor. Creek is more forgiving, WM hosts state opens and such and when its in tournament mode it's challenging. Blue Mash is well-liked but I find it kind of boring. University of Maryland apparently in dire shape right now.

 

Virginia - Westfields, Laurel Hill. Westfields is a Fred Couples design that presents interesting holes that offer challenge but give you room to hit it. Laurel Hill is less forgiving with tough greens, always in good condition, technically its a muni but doesn't feel or play like one.

 

D.C. - East Potomac, Blue. If you can put aside conditioning, which is below-average at its best, there is old-school charm at the Blue that gives a lot of views of the Washington Monument and its easy to walk. Cheap, surprisingly decent food and always some interesting people to meet. Designed by Walter Travis. Very easy to get to from northwest D.C.

 

 

If you can play private, Congo/Columbia/Chevy Chase/Burning Tree are all close to D.C. and considered the top tier. TPC Potomac/Bethesda/Kenwood a notch below. Haven't played these so can't give much info, save Congo which was great, obviously. RTJ has hosted Presidents Cups but thats probably a bit far from D.C., heading west in Virginia.

 

 

[Puppetmaster]

> @birdiebarrage said:

> Maryland - Whiskey Creek, Worthington Manor. Creek is more forgiving, WM hosts state opens and such and when its in tournament mode it's challenging. Blue Mash is well-liked but I find it kind of boring. University of Maryland apparently in dire shape right now.

>

> Virginia - Westfields, Laurel Hill. Westfields is a Fred Couples design that presents interesting holes that offer challenge but give you room to hit it. Laurel Hill is less forgiving with tough greens, always in good condition, technically its a muni but doesn't feel or play like one.

>

> D.C. - East Potomac, Blue. If you can put aside conditioning, which is below-average at its best, there is old-school charm at the Blue that gives a lot of views of the Washington Monument and its easy to walk. Cheap, surprisingly decent food and always some interesting people to meet. Designed by Walter Travis. Very easy to get to from northwest D.C.

>

>

> If you can play private, Congo/Columbia/Chevy Chase/Burning Tree are all close to D.C. and considered the top tier. TPC Potomac/Bethesda/Kenwood a notch below. Haven't played these so can't give much info, save Congo which was great, obviously. RTJ has hosted Presidents Cups but thats probably a bit far from D.C., heading west in Virginia.

>

>

 

Good summation above. The MD 270 corridor courses like WM and WC are some of my favorites. There's also PB Dye but that's love or hate for most. If you want to go into Virginia, Bull Run is a nice track and has a good patio and beers on tap. I'd play Laurel Hill over Westfields any day, especially in August. Westfields is a good design and is in great shape most of the year until July-August when the fairways and green complexes never hold up well to the heat. Army Navy CC is another good private option if you can find a member to get you in.

 

Also important to note that traffic is a huge factor here, so plan your tee times accordingly, or just leave super early no matter what. Assume that rush hour starts after 7 am and is essentially all day.

[GoGoErky]

> @birdiebarrage said:

> Maryland - Whiskey Creek, Worthington Manor. Creek is more forgiving, WM hosts state opens and such and when its in tournament mode it's challenging. Blue Mash is well-liked but I find it kind of boring. University of Maryland apparently in dire shape right now.

>

> Virginia - Westfields, Laurel Hill. Westfields is a Fred Couples design that presents interesting holes that offer challenge but give you room to hit it. Laurel Hill is less forgiving with tough greens, always in good condition, technically its a muni but doesn't feel or play like one.

>

> D.C. - East Potomac, Blue. If you can put aside conditioning, which is below-average at its best, there is old-school charm at the Blue that gives a lot of views of the Washington Monument and its easy to walk. Cheap, surprisingly decent food and always some interesting people to meet. Designed by Walter Travis. Very easy to get to from northwest D.C.

>

>

> If you can play private, Congo/Columbia/Chevy Chase/Burning Tree are all close to D.C. and considered the top tier. TPC Potomac/Bethesda/Kenwood a notch below. Haven't played these so can't give much info, save Congo which was great, obviously. RTJ has hosted Presidents Cups but thats probably a bit far from D.C., heading west in Virginia.

>

>

 

Musket Ridge is a better option over blue mash as is waverly woods.

[Hooded7]

Coming to DC for a conference next week (from New Orleans), looking to play Tuesday morning. We're staying in the Woodley Park area. Laurel Hill is doing maintenance that morning. Is Westfields our next best/closest option? Has anyone played there recently? Are conditions good? Will traffic be a nightmare heading that way?

[jwellefson1]

> @Hooded7 said:

> Coming to DC for a conference next week (from New Orleans), looking to play Tuesday morning. We're staying in the Woodley Park area. Laurel Hill is doing maintenance that morning. Is Westfields our next best/closest option? Has anyone played there recently? Are conditions good? Will traffic be a nightmare heading that way?

 

Westfields is probably your next best option, but traffic won't be great getting there. Luckily you'll be going against the worst of it, but you may want to find something closer. Potomac Shores is also a good option but not horribly close.

[howaboutme]

I haven't played Westfields in a few months but live down the street. Reverse commute is almost just as bad in the morning so give it plenty of time. Local route may be easier to get there than I-66.

[Hooded7]

Appreciate the feedback. Looking forward to our round at Westfields!

[wagsgt]

Just FYI for anyone in DC all the Maryland courses listed you will be going against traffic. A lot of good options listed. Some of VA ones you might get stuck in some beltway traffic

[dokodiy]

Other notables if the distance is no issue

VA: Potomac shore, Blue ridge shadows, Raspberry falls

MD: Little Bennett, Graystone, QueensTown, Hunters Oak

PA: The links at Gettysburg

[squirrel211]

> @dokodiy said:

> Other notables if the distance is no issue

> VA: Potomac shore, Blue ridge shadows, Raspberry falls

> MD: Little Bennett, Graystone, QueensTown, Hunters Oak

> PA: The links at Gettysburg

 

Queenstown RIver Course is good! I thought Hunters Oak closed???

 

Hog Neck Golf Course used to be a Top 100 public course, it's one of my favorite courses that I've ever played. River Marsh Golf Course at the Hyatt in Cambridge is on the recent 15 courses to play in Maryland (so was Queenstown), it's also public.

 

I am a member at Talbot Country Club, which is the oldest course on the Delmarva Peninsula, I'd be willing to take the OP out for a round.

[Hooded7]

Played Westfields last Tuesday. Thanks for the solid advice. Really enjoyed the layout. Course conditions were great, although some of the fairway divots could be filled. Greens rolled true. Probably some of the thickest/lushest rough I've played in too. Shot 87 (I'm a 15 index), so definitely pleased with the round.

[jwellefson1]

> @Hooded7 said:

> Played Westfields last Tuesday. Thanks for the solid advice. Really enjoyed the layout. Course conditions were great, although some of the fairway divots could be filled. Greens rolled true. Probably some of the thickest/lushest rough I've played in too. Shot 87 (I'm a 15 index), so definitely pleased with the round.

 

Glad to hear it was good! Westfields is probably my favorite Northern VA Public; could also be Laurel Hill just depends on what I feel like that day lol. I've never played Potomac Shores but that'll be changing in two days. Either way I'm very glad it worked out for you, it's definitely a good one!

[platgof]

I was just around the corner from Whiskey Creek, bummer. I was staying in Olney.

[Broke100]

I’d recommend Falls Road (Potomac, MD) over Kenwood and its half price, too.